Radio frequency switches with voltage equalization

ABSTRACT

Embodiments described herein include radio frequency (RF) switches that may provide increased power handling capability. In general, the embodiments described herein can provide this increased power handling by equalizing the voltages across transistors when the RF switch is open. Specifically, the embodiments described herein can be implemented to equalize the source-drain voltages across each field effect transistor (FET) in a FET stack that occurs when the RF switch is open and not conducting current. This equalization can be provided by using one or more compensation circuits to couple one or more gates and transistor bodies in the FET stack in a way that at least partially compensates for the effects of parasitic leakage currents in the FET stack.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally toradio frequency (RF) switches and specifically RF switches that usefield effect transistor (FET) stacks.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency (RF) switches are used extensively in various RFapplications, including RF power amplification, RF signal transmission,and RF signal reception. In various applications these RF switches needto provide both high speed switching and high power handling. Tofacilitate high power handling many RF switches use one or more stacksof field effect transistors (FETs), where each stack includes aseries-coupled arrangement of several FETs. In such devices each FET canbe a monolithic transistor device that includes a variable-conductivitychannel between drain and source terminals, along with one or more gatespositioned over the channel. Electrical signals provided to the gatescontrol the conductivity of the channel during operation of the FETs. RFswitches implemented with such stacks of FETs can thus providerelatively higher power handling capability.

However, one issue with such RF switches is the ability to provide highpower handling capability while maintaining fast switching speed. Toprovide high power handling it is desirable to implement and operate theRF switches such that a nearly equal voltage is maintained across eachFET in series-coupled stack of FETs when the switch is open.Specifically, maintaining a nearly equal voltage across each FET in thestack when the switch is open helps ensure that no one FET in the stackhas an excessive source-drain voltage that could lead to breakdown orother failure of that FET. In contrast, if significant non-equalvoltages are seen across some FETs then those FETs with highersource-drain voltages can exceed their breakdown voltage and potentiallyfail while other FETs with lower source-drain voltages are well belowtheir breakdown voltage. Thus, there remains a continuing need forimproved RF switches that can maintain a nearly equal voltage acrossFETs to improve the power handling of the switch while maintaining highspeed switching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar elements throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a field effect transistor (FET) stackin accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an FET stack in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are circuit diagrams of FET stacks in accordancewith exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are circuit diagrams of compensation circuits inaccordance with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an RF switch in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an RF switch in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphical representations of voltage waveforms inFET stacks in accordance with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of an RF transceiver system;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a module that embodies a portion of the RFtransceiver system of FIG. 8, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of fabricating an IC with one or morecompensation circuits electrically coupled to FETs, in accordance withan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein include radio frequency (RF) switchesthat may provide increased power handling capability while alsoproviding high switching speeds. In general, the embodiments describedherein can provide this increased power handling by equalizing thevoltages across transistors when the RF switch is open (i.e., in aninactive or non-current-conducting state). Specifically, the embodimentsdescribed herein can be implemented to equalize the source-drainvoltages across each field effect transistor (FET) in a FET stack thatoccur when the RF switch is open and not conducting current. Thisequalization can be provided by using one or more compensation circuitsto couple one or more gates and transistor bodies in the FET stack in away that at least partially compensates for the effects of parasiticleakage currents in the FET stack. This compensation of the effects ofparasitic leakage currents equalizes the source-drain voltages acrosseach FET that occurs when the RF switch is open, and can thus improvethe power handling ability of the RF switch. Furthermore, thiscompensation can be done in a way that maintains high speed switchingcapability in the RF switch.

In one embodiment, the RF switch includes a first field-effecttransistor stack coupled between a first node and a second node, wherethe first FET stack includes a first series-coupled plurality offield-effect transistors (FETs). Each FET includes source and drainregions separated by variably-conductive channel regions, gatesoverlying the channel regions and coupled to a gate terminal (or simply“gate”), a source terminal coupled too the source regions, a drainterminal coupled to the drain regions, and a transistor body. Thetransistor body of a FET is that portion of the semiconductor substratebeneath the gate region and in between the source and drain regions ofthe FET. As such, transistor body includes the portion of thesemiconductor substrate in which a conducting channel is formed duringoperation of the FET when appropriate potentials are applied to thegate, drain and source terminals of the FET. In an embodiment the firstseries-coupled plurality of FETs includes at least a first FET, a secondFET, and at least a first compensation circuit. The first compensationcircuit is implemented to electrically couple a body of the first FET toa gate of the second FET. This electrical coupling of the body of oneFET to the gate of another FET through the first compensation circuitprovides an equalization of voltages across the first series-coupledplurality of FETs. Specifically, in one embodiment the firstcompensation circuit includes one or more impedances adapted tocompensate for the effects of the parasitic leakage currents in a waythat can equalize the source-drain voltages across each FET that occurswhen the RF switch is open.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a schematic view of an RF switch 100 inaccordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The RF switch 100 includesa first node 102, a second node 104, a first field-effect transistor(FET) 106, a second FET 108, and a first compensation circuit 110. Thefirst FET 106 and the second FET 108 are a series-coupled plurality ofFETs that form a first FET stack 112 that is coupled between the firstnode 102 and the second node 104. The first FET 106 includes a firstbody and a first gate. Likewise, the second FET 108 includes a secondbody and a second gate.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the firstcompensation circuit 110 is implemented to electrically couple the firstbody of the first FET 106 to the second gate of the second FET 108. Thiselectrical coupling of the first body to the second gate through thefirst compensation circuit 110 facilitates an equalization of voltagesacross the first series-coupled plurality of FETs 112. Specifically, thefirst compensation circuit includes 110 is configured to compensate forthe effects of the parasitic leakage currents in a way that can equalizethe source-drain voltages across each of the first FET 106 and thesecond FET 108 that occurs when the RF switch 100 is open.

In one embodiment, the first compensation circuit 110 includes one ormore components characterized by one or more impedances (i.e.,“impedance-providing components”). These one or more impedance-providingcomponents are configured and implemented to compensate for the effectsof the parasitic leakage currents in a way that can equalize thesource-drain voltages across each of the FETs 106, 108 that occurs whenthe RF switch 100 is open. In one embodiment, the one or moreimpedance-providing components can comprise a capacitor. In anotherembodiment, the one or more impedance-providing components can comprisea varactor. In another embodiment, the one or more impedance-providingcomponents can comprise a resistor-capacitor (RC) series circuit. Inanother embodiment, the one or more impedance-providing components cancomprise an active impedance-providing component, such as a metal oxidesemiconductor FET (MOSFET) or metal oxide semiconductor capacitor(MOSCAP) implemented active impedance. In each of these embodiments theimpedance-providing component(s) can be selected and implemented so thatthe impedances equalize the source-drain voltages across each of theFETs 106, 108 that occurs when the RF switch 100 is open. Detailedexamples of such compensation circuits 110 will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the series-coupled plurality of FETs 112 caninclude additional FETs. As one example, the series-coupled plurality ofFETs 112 can include a third FET that includes a third gate and a thirdbody, and a fourth FET that includes a fourth gate and a fourth body. Insuch an embodiment a second compensation circuit can be provided, wherethe second compensation circuit electrically couples the third body andthe fourth gate. One example of such an embodiment will be discussed ingreater detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

As another example, the series-coupled plurality of FETs 112 can includeat least a third FET that includes a third gate and a third body. Insuch an embodiment a second compensation circuit can be provided, wherethe second compensation circuit electrically couples the second body andthe third gate. One example of such an embodiment will be discussed ingreater detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

In yet other embodiments the RF switch can include additional FET stackscoupled between additional nodes. And each of these additional FETstacks can include a series-coupled plurality of FETs with additionalcompensation circuits coupled between various gates and bodies in theadditional FET stacks.

For example, in one embodiment the RF switch 100 can further comprise asecond FET stack coupled between a third node and a fourth node. Thissecond FET stack can include a second series-coupled plurality of FETs,wherein the second series-coupled plurality of FETs includes a third FETand a fourth FET. In this embodiment the third FET can include a thirdgate and a third body. Likewise, in this embodiment the fourth FET caninclude a fourth gate and a fourth body. And in this embodiment a secondcompensation circuit can be provided, where the second compensationcircuit electrically couples the third body and the fourth gate. In thisembodiment the second compensation circuit likewise includes impedancesthat can be selected and implemented to equalize the source-drainvoltages across each of the third FET and the fourth FET. Examples of RFswitches that include multiple FET stacks will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The various FET stacks can be implemented with a variety of differenttypes of FETs. For example, the FET stack 112 can be implemented withGaAs or GaN FETs, to give two nonlimiting examples.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a circuit diagram of a FET stack 200 inaccordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The FET stack 200 isexemplary of the type of FET stack that can be implemented in an RFswitch in accordance with the various embodiments described herein. TheFET stack 200 includes a first FET 206, a second FET 208, and a firstcompensation circuit 210. The first FET 206 and the second FET 208 are aseries-coupled plurality of FETs that form the FET stack 200. The FETstack 200 is coupled between a first node 202 and the second node 204.The first FET 206 includes a first body 212 and a first gate 214.Likewise, the second FET 208 includes a second body 216 and a secondgate 218.

During operation of the RF switch, the FETs 206, 208 are turned on whenthe switch is closed (i.e., in an active or current-conducting state) toallow current to conduct from first node 202 to second node 204 (andfrom the second node 204 to the first node 202). Conversely, the FETs206, 208 are turned off when the switch is open to prevent current fromconducting from the first node 202 to the second node 204 (and from thesecond node 204 to the first node 202). However, even when the FETs 206,208 are turned off there will be some source-drain leakage current(I_(CDS)) that flows across the source-drain of each FET. Furthermore,there will be some body-substrate parasitic leakage current (I_(SUB))that flows from the body of each FET to the underlying substrate.

Specifically, each of the FETs 206, 208 includes a parasitic capacitanceC_(SUB) between the body of the FET and the underlying substrate. Whenthe FETs 206, 208 are turned off some body-substrate parasitic leakagecurrent (I_(SUB)) still flows through the parasitic capacitance C_(SUB)of each of the FETs 206,208 to the substrate.

In the example of FIG. 2 a source-drain leakage current I_(CDS1) flowsthrough FET 206 and a source-drain leakage current I_(CDS2) flowsthrough FET 208. Likewise, a body-substrate parasitic leakage currentI_(SUB1) flows from FET 206 and a body-substrate parasitic leakagecurrent I_(SUB2) flows from FET 208.

The existence of the body-substrate parasitic leakage currents(I_(SUB1), I_(SUB2)) necessarily causes the source-drain leakagecurrents (I_(CDS1), I_(CDS2)) to be unequal. Furthermore, the voltageacross each of the FETs 206, 208 when the switch is open is determinedin part by the source-drain leakage currents. For example, thedrain-source voltage V_(DS) across a FET when the FET is turned off toopen the switch can be expressed as:

$V_{DS} = {I_{CDS}\frac{1}{j\omega C_{DS}}}$where C_(DS) is the drain-source capacitance of the FET. Thus, theunequal amount of source-drain leakage currents (I_(CDS1), I_(CDS2))caused by body-substrate parasitic leakage currents (I_(SUB1), I_(SUB2))will cause the drain-source voltages V_(DS) of the FETs 206, 208 to beunequal. These unequal voltages across the FETs 206, 208 will result inhigher source-drain voltages across one FET that can exceed itsbreakdown voltage and potentially fail while the other FET with lowersource-drain voltages is still below their breakdown voltage. Theseunequal voltages across the FETs 206, 208 can thus reduce the voltagehandling capacity of the overall FET stack 200.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the firstcompensation circuit 210 is implemented to electrically couple the firstbody 212 of the first FET 206 to the second gate 218 of the second FET208. This electrical coupling of the first body 212 to the second gate218 through the first compensation circuit 210 facilitates anequalization of voltages across the FET stack 200 that can improve thevoltage handling capacity of the FET stack 200. Specifically, the firstcompensation circuit 210 is configured to compensate for the effects ofthe body-source parasitic leakage currents (I_(SUB1), I_(SUB2)) in a waythat can equalize the drain-source voltages (VD's) across each of thefirst FET 206 and the second FET 208. To facilitate this, the firstcompensation circuit 210 includes one or more components configured byan impedance Z_(C). The impedance Z_(C) is configured and implemented tocompensate for the effects of the body-source parasitic leakage currents(I_(SUB1), I_(SUB2)) in a way that can equalize the drain-sourcevoltages across each of the FETs 206, 208 that occurs when FETs areturned off to provide an open circuit between the first node 202 and thesecond node 204. As described above, in various embodiments, theimpedance Z_(C) can comprise a capacitor, varactor, resistor-capacitor(RC) series circuit, active impedance, etc. These various embodiments ofimpedance Z_(C) will be discussed in greater detail down below.

As described above, in some embodiments, the FET stacks can includeadditional FETs and additional compensation circuits. Turning now toFIG. 3A, a circuit diagram of a FET stack 300 in accordance with anotherembodiment is illustrated. The FET stack 300 is exemplary of the type ofFET stack that can be implemented in an RF switch in accordance with thevarious embodiments described herein. The FET stack 300 includes a firstFET 306, a second FET 308, a third FET 307, a fourth FET 309, a firstcompensation circuit 310, and a second compensation circuit 311. Thefirst FET 306, second FET 308, third FET 307, and fourth FET 309 areseries-coupled plurality of FETs that form the FET stack 300. The FETstack 300 is coupled between a first node 302 and the second node 304.The first FET 306 includes a first body 312 and a first gate 314.Likewise, the second FET 308 includes a second body 316 and a secondgate 318. Likewise, the third FET 307 includes a third body 313 and athird gate 315. Finally, the fourth FET 309 includes a fourth body 317and a fourth gate 319.

During operation of the RF switch, the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309 areturned on when the switch is closed to allow current to conduct fromfirst node 302 to second node 304 (and from the second node 304 to thefirst node 302). Conversely, the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309 are turned offwhen the switch is open to prevent current from conducting from thefirst node 302 to the second node 304 (and from the second node 304 tothe first node 302).

However, as was described above, even when the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309are turned off there will be some source-drain leakage current (I_(CDS))that flows across the source-drain of each FET. Furthermore, there willbe some body-substrate parasitic leakage current (I_(SUB)) that flowsfrom the body of each FET to the underlying substrate. The existence ofthe body-substrate parasitic leakage currents necessarily causes thesource-drain leakage currents to be unequal, which in turn can cause thevoltage across each of the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309 to be unequal. Theseunequal voltages across the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309 can result in highersource-drain voltages across one FET that can exceed its breakdownvoltage and potentially fail and thus reduce the voltage handlingcapacity of the overall FET stack 300.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the firstcompensation circuit 310 is implemented to electrically couple the firstbody 312 of the first FET 306 to the second gate 318 of the second FET308. Likewise, the second compensation circuit 311 is implemented toelectrically couple the third body 313 of the third FET 307 to thefourth gate 319 of the fourth FET 309. These electrical couplingsfacilitate an equalization of voltages across the FET stack 300 that canimprove the voltage handling capacity of the FET stack 300.Specifically, the first compensation circuit 310 and the secondcompensation circuit 311 are configured to compensate for the effects ofthe body-source parasitic leakage currents in a way that can equalizethe drain-source voltages across each of the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309. Tofacilitate this, the first compensation circuit 310 includes animpedance Z_(C1) and the second compensation circuit 311 includes animpedance Z_(C2). These impedances Z_(C1) and Z_(C2) are configured andimplemented to compensate for the effects of the body-source parasiticleakage currents (I_(SUB1), I_(SUB2)) in a way that can equalize thedrain-source voltages across each of the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309 thatoccurs when FETs are turned off to provide an open circuit between thefirst node 302 and the second node 304. As described above, in variousembodiments, the impedances Z_(C1) and Z_(C2) can comprise a capacitor,varactor, RC series circuit, active impedance, etc. These variousembodiments of impedance Z_(C1) and Z_(C2) will be discussed in greaterdetail down below.

It should be noted that in the FET stack 300 there is not a compensationcircuit between all FETs in the FET stack 300. However, in otherembodiments additional compensation circuits can be provided. Turningnow to FIG. 3B, a circuit diagram of a FET stack 320 in accordance withanother embodiment is illustrated. The FET stack 320 includes a firstFET 306, a second FET 308, a third FET 307, a fourth FET 309, a firstcompensation circuit 310, a second compensation circuit 311, and a thirdcompensation circuit 321.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the firstcompensation circuit 310 is implemented to electrically couple the firstbody 312 of the first FET 306 to the second gate 318 of the second FET308. Likewise, the second compensation circuit 311 is implemented toelectrically couple the third body 313 of the third FET 307 to thefourth gate 319 of the fourth FET 309. Likewise, the third compensationcircuit 321 is implemented to electrically couple the second body 316 ofthe second FET 308 to the third gate 315 of the third FET 307.

Again, these electrical couplings facilitate an equalization of voltagesacross the FET stack 320 that can improve the voltage handling capacityof the FET stack 320. Specifically, the compensation circuits 310, 311and 321 are configured to compensate for the effects of the body-sourceparasitic leakage currents in a way that can equalize the drain-sourcevoltages across each of the FETs 306, 308, 307, 309. To facilitate this,the compensation circuits 310, 311 and 321 include impedances Z_(C1),Z_(C2), Z_(C3) that are implemented to compensate for the effects of thebody-source parasitic leakage currents. Again, various embodiments ofimpedance Z_(C1), Z_(C2) and Z_(C3) will be discussed in greater detaildown below.

It next be noted that the compensation circuits can be configured toconnect the body and gates of non-adjacent FETs in the FET stack. Inthese embodiments the compensation circuit can skip over one or betweenFETs to connect the body and gate and separated FETs in the stack.Turning now to FIG. 3C, a circuit diagram of a FET stack 320 inaccordance with another embodiment is illustrated. The FET stack 320includes a first FET 306, a second FET 308, a third FET 307, a fourthFET 309 and a first compensation circuit 332. Notably, in thisembodiment the first compensation circuit 332 connects the body and gateof non-adjacent FETs in the FET stack 330 and thus the firstcompensation circuit 332 effectively skips over the second FET 308. Andagain, the first compensation circuit 332 includes an impedance Z_(C)implemented to compensate for the effects of the body-source parasiticleakage currents.

As described above, the various compensation circuits (e.g.,compensation circuits 110, 210, 310, 311, 321, 332) are each implementedwith an impedance configured to at least partially compensate for theeffects of the body-source parasitic leakage currents and equalize thedrain-source voltages across the FETs in the FET stack when those FETsare turned off to provide an open circuit. And as described above, invarious embodiments the impedances can comprise a capacitor, varactor,RC series circuit, active impedance, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, a circuit diagram of an exemplary compensationcircuit 400 (e.g., an instance of circuit 210, 310, 311, 321, 332) inaccordance with a first embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment,the compensation circuit 400 includes an impedance provided with acapacitor 402 (i.e., capacitor 402 is an impedance-providing component).Such a capacitor 402 can implemented with any suitable type ofcapacitor, including discrete devices and integrated passive devices(IPDs) such as metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors. In otherembodiments, the capacitor 402 can be implemented with a capacitiveassembly (e.g., a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) assembly). Inyet other embodiments the capacitor 402 can be implemented as an activeimpedance capacitor, such as a MOSCAP or other such device.

In each of these embodiments the capacitor 402 can be implemented tocompensate for the effects of the body-source parasitic leakagecurrents. In such embodiments the capacitive value of the capacitor 402needed to provide the desired compensation can be determined usingcomputer simulations. For example, the capacitor 402 value is can bedetermined by computer simulations implemented to select values thatresult in a uniform voltage distribution across each of the FETs.Specifically, these computer simulations can be repeatedly performedusing different combinations of capacitors with different capacitivevalues in the various compensation circuits of the FET stack until thedesired voltage uniformity across the FET stack is obtained. In oneexemplary embodiment the capacitor 402 has a capacitance between 20femtofarads and 5 picofarads.

Turning now to FIG. 4B, a circuit diagram of an exemplary compensationcircuit 410 (e.g., an instance of circuit 210, 310, 311, 321, 332) inaccordance with a second embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment,the compensation circuit 410 includes impedances provided in an RCseries circuit that includes a capacitor 412 and a resistor 414 (i.e.,capacitor 412 and resistor 414 are impedance-providing components).Again, such a capacitor 412 and resistor 414 can implemented with anysuitable type of capacitor and resistor, including a variety ofintegrated passive devices. And again, in such embodiments thecapacitive value of the capacitor 412 and the resistive value of theresistor 414 can be determined using computer simulations. Specifically,these computer simulations can again be repeatedly performed usingdifferent combinations of capacitors and resistors with differentimpedance values in the various compensation circuits of the FET stackuntil the desired voltage uniformity across the FET stack is obtained.In one exemplary embodiment the capacitor 412 has a capacitance between20 femtofarads and 5 picofarads, and the resistor 414 has a resistancebetween 5 kiloohms and 100 kiloohms.

Turning now to FIG. 4C, a circuit diagram of an exemplary compensationcircuit 420 (e.g., an instance of circuit 210, 310, 311, 321, 332) inaccordance with a third embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment,the compensation circuit 420 includes an impedance provided with avaractor 422 (i.e., varactor 422 is an impedance-providing component).In general, a varactor is a variable capacitance diode that can beimplemented to provide a selectable capacitance. In some embodiments thevaractor 422 can be implemented to be adjustable using a third node.This ability of adjust the capacitance can be used for operationaltuning of the RF switch. The varactor 422 can implemented with anysuitable type of varactor.

Turning to FIG. 5, a simplified circuit diagram of an RF switch 500 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The RF switch500 includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) nodes, including firstI/O node 528 and second I/O node 538. The RF switch 500 further includesan antenna node 548, a first reference node 552 and a second referencenode 553. RF switch 500 further includes a plurality of switches 520,524, 530, 534 electrically coupled between the various nodes 528, 538,548, 552, 553. As was described above, one or more of the switches 520,524, 530, 534 may be implemented as a stack of FETs.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, one or more the FETstacks used to implement the switches 520, 524, 530, 534 can includecompensation circuits (e.g., compensation circuits 110, 210, 310, 311,321, 332, 400, 410, 420) configured between one or more FET bodies andgates. And as described above these compensation circuits areimplemented to electrically couple the bodies and gates in a waycompensates for the effects of the body-source parasitic leakagecurrents and equalize the drain-source voltages across the FETs in oneor more of the switches 520, 524, 530, 534.

Turning to FIG. 6, a more detailed circuit diagram of an RF switch 600in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. In thisillustrated example, the RF switch 600 again includes a plurality ofinput/output nodes, including first I/O node 628 (e.g., a transmit node)and second I/O node 638 (e.g., a receive node). The RF switch 600further includes an antenna node 648, a first reference node 652 and asecond reference node 653. The RF switch 600 further includes aplurality of switches 620, 624, 630, 634 electrically coupled betweenthe various nodes 628, 638, 648, 652, 653. In this illustratedembodiment each of the switches 620, 624, 630, 634 are implemented as astack of FETs.

Specifically, switch 630 is implemented as a first stack ofseries-coupled FETs 666 that are electrically coupled between theantenna node 648 and the I/O node 638. Likewise, switch 620 isimplemented as a second stack of series-coupled FETs 662 that areelectrically coupled between the I/O node 628 and antenna node 648.Switch 624 is likewise implemented as a third stack of series-coupledFETs 664 that are electrically coupled between the I/O node 628 andfirst reference node 652. Finally, switch 634 is likewise implemented asa fourth stack of series-coupled FETs 668 that are electrically coupledbetween the I/O node 638 and second reference node 653. It should benoted that while the first reference node 652 and the second referencenode 653 would typically be coupled to a ground reference (e.g., zerovolts), the nodes could alternatively be coupled to a positive ornegative DC voltage reference.

As used herein, the term “series-coupled,” in reference to theelectrical coupling between multiple FETs in a stack, means that theoutput terminals (e.g., source/drain terminals) of the multiple FETs areconnected together to provide a continuous electrically conductivechannel/path between an input node (e.g., I/O node 628) and an outputnode (e.g., antenna node 648) when the multiple FETs are in a conductingstate (e.g., “on” or “closed”). For example, in a series-coupledsequence of FETs a source terminal for one FET may be coupled to thedrain terminal of the adjacent FET.

In FIG. 6, each of the switches 620, 624, 630, 634 of FETs is shown toinclude three series-coupled FETs 662, 664, 666, 668. However, this isjust one example implementation. In other embodiments each of theswitches 620, 624, 630, 634 may alternatively include less than threeFETs or more than three FETs (as indicated with the ellipses in each FETstack). Furthermore, each of the switches 620, 624, 630, 634 may includea same number of FETs or may instead include different numbers of FETs.

In this illustrated example each of the FETs 662, 664, 666, 668 includesa gate terminal (or control terminal), an input terminal (e.g., adrain/source terminal), an output terminal (e.g., a source/drainterminal), and a body terminal. As typical with FETs, the conductivityof the channel between source/drain terminals for each of the FETs 662,664, 666, 668 may be controlled by the application of appropriatevoltages to the corresponding gate terminal.

To facilitate operation, the RF switch 600 is controlled using a controlsignal (CONTROL) and an inverse control signal (CONTROL). Specifically,the control signal is used to control switches 620 and 634 and theinverse control signal is used to control switches 624 and 630. Tofacilitate this, the control signal is applied to the gate terminals ofthe FETs 662 and 668, and the inverse control signal is applied to thegate terminals of FETs 664 and 666. Typically, the control signals andinverse control signals provided to each gate in any particular switch620, 624, 660, 634 are synchronous, in that they simultaneously causeall of the FETs in that stack either to be substantially conducting(e.g., “on” or “closed”) or substantially non-conducting (e.g., “off” or“open”). However, it should be noted that in other embodiments thecontrol signals and inverse control signals may be asynchronous.

During typical operation the RF switch 600 is operated to alternatebetween coupling an RF transmit signal provided by a transmitter (notshown) coupled to I/O node 628 to the antenna node 648 and coupling anRF receive signal provided by the antenna at antenna node 648 to areceiver (not shown) coupled to I/O node 638. Specifically, in thetransmit state, switches 620 and 634 are closed, and switches 624 and630 are open. Specifically, in the transmit state the control signalapplied to the gate terminals of FETs 662 and 668 causes those FETs tobe in a substantially conducting state, while the inverse control signalapplied to the gate terminals of FETs 664 and 666 causes those FETs tobe in a substantially non-conducting state. Accordingly, in the transmitstate, signal energy present at I/O node 628 is conveyed throughswitches 620 to antenna node 648, and the conductive path between I/Onode 628 and reference node 652 is open. In addition, in the transmitstate, signal energy present at I/O node 638 is conveyed throughswitches 634 to reference node 653, and the conductive path between I/Onode 638 and antenna node 648 is open.

Conversely, in the receive state, switches 630 and 624 are closed, andswitches 620 and 634 are open. Specifically, in the receive state theinverse control signal applied to the gate terminals of FETs 664 and 666causes those FETs to be in a substantially conducting state, while thecontrol signal applied to the gate terminals of FETs 662 and 668 causesthose FETs to be in a substantially non-conducting state. Accordingly,in the receive state, signal energy present at antenna node 648 isconveyed through switches 630 to I/O node 638, and the conductive pathbetween I/O node 638 and ground reference node 653 is open. In addition,in the receive state, signal energy present at I/O node 628 is conveyedthrough switches 624 to ground reference node 652, and the conductivepath between I/O node 628 and the antenna node 648 is open.

The RF switch 600 can be implemented in variety of devices andstructures. For example, in one embodiment the RF switch 600 ismonolithic with FETs 662, 664, 666, and 668 formed in and on a singleintegrated circuit substrate (e.g., on a single semiconductor die). Forexample, according to one embodiment the RF switch IC 600 may be formedon a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. In other embodiments the RFswitch IC 600 may be formed on a gallium arsenide (GaAs)-basedsubstrate. In other embodiments other substrates may be used includingother silicon (Si)-based substrates (e.g., bulk Si) and gallium nitride(GaN)-based substrates (e.g., GaN on silicon, GaN on silicon carbide(SiC), and so on).

To implement switches 620, 624, 630, and 634 a variety of differenttypes of FETs can be used. For example, one or more of the FETs 662,664, 666, and 668 may be implemented with multi-gate FETs, although someof the FETs may be single-gate FETs, as well. Furthermore, in oneembodiment the one or more of the FETs 662, 664, 666, and 668 may beimplemented with pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors(pHEMTs). In other embodiments one or more of the FETs 662, 664, 666,and 668 may be implemented in a variety of differently configured,gate-controlled, three-terminal components or transistors, includingdifferently-configured pHEMTs, metal oxide semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs),high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), metal-semiconductor fieldeffect transistors (MESFETs), laterally diffused metal-oxidesemiconductor (LDMOS) FETs, Enhancement-mode MOSFETs (EMOSFETs), andjunction gate FETs (JFETs), to name a few.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein the RF switch 600includes at least a first compensation circuit 612 and a secondcompensation circuit 614. The first compensation circuit 612 couples abody of a first FET 666 to a gate of a second FET 666. Likewise, thesecond compensation circuit 614 couples a body of a first FET 664 to agate of a second FET 664. Again, these compensation circuits 612 and 614include impedances Z_(C) configured to compensates for the effects ofthe body-source parasitic leakage currents and equalize the drain-sourcevoltages across the FETs 666 and 664.

In another embodiment the RF switch 600 includes a first plurality ofcompensation circuits 612, each of the first plurality of compensationcircuits 612 coupling a gate on one FET 666 in the first series-coupledplurality of FETs 666 to a body on another one of the firstseries-coupled plurality of FETs 666. The RF switch 600 can also includea second plurality of compensation circuits 614, each of the secondplurality of compensation circuits 614 coupling a gate on one FET 664 inthe second series-coupled plurality of FETs 664 to a body on another oneof the second series-coupled plurality of FETs 664.

Turning now to FIG. 7A, graph 700 shows exemplary voltage waveforms aswould be present across FETs in an exemplary FET stack. Specifically,each of the waveforms in the graph 700 illustrates an exemplary voltageacross one FET in a stack in FETs when the FETs are turned off toprovide an open circuit and while an RF voltage is present on one sideof the FET stack.

Specifically, graph 700 depicts the waveform amplitudes and resultingpotential difference between the drain and source nodes of the differentFETs in the FET stack. As can be seen in graph 700, the voltageamplitudes across the different FETs in the FET stack have significantvariation from FET to FET. Specifically, in this example, some FETs havea drain source voltage of as much as 4.2 volts, while other FETs in thesame stack have a drain source voltage of as little as 3.0 volts. Thus,the FETs in graph 700 have non-uniformity variation of 1.2 volts.

As was described above, this variation in voltages across the FETs canbe caused in part by an unequal amount of source-drain leakage currentsresulting from body-substrate parasitic leakage currents. This variationcan cause the voltage across some FETs to exceed the breakdown voltageand potentially fail while other FETs with lower source-drain voltagesare still below their breakdown voltage. As one example, each of theFETs in the stack can have a breakdown voltage of 3.6 volts asdetermined by the semiconductor fabrication used to form the FETs. Insuch an embodiment the variation illustrated in graph 700 will likelyresult in the source drain voltages across one or more FETs beingsignificantly above 3.6 volts. Thus, one or more of the FETs is likelyto enter the beak down region during operation of the switch. Thus,these relatively large variations in voltage waveforms across the FETscan reduce the voltage handling capacity of the overall FET stack.

Turning now to FIG. 7B, graph 750 shows exemplary voltage waveforms aswould be present across FETs in an exemplary FET stack that includes oneor more compensation circuits in accordance with the embodimentsdescribed herein (e.g., FET stacks 112, 200, 300, 320, 330) where theFET stack can implement one or more RF switches (e.g., switches 620,624, 630, 634). As can be seen in graph 750 the amplitude variation inthe voltage waveform across the FETs is significantly reduced by thecompensation circuits. Specifically, in the example of graph 750 thevoltage waveforms have a maximum amplitude variation of 0.67 volts, anda maximum voltage across one FET of 3.596 volts, which is well below thebreakdown voltage of many typical FETs used in FET stacks. This reducedvariation in voltage waveforms across the FETs can thus increase thevoltage handling capacity of the overall FET stack.

Turning now to FIG. 8 a simplified block diagram of an example of aradio frequency (RF) transceiver system 800 is illustrated. The RFtransceiver system includes an RF switch 810, a transmitter 820, areceiver 830, and an antenna 840. Transceiver system 800 is ahalf-duplex transceiver, in which only one of the transmitter 820 or thereceiver 830 are coupled, through the RF switch 810, to the antenna 840at any given time. More specifically, the state of the RF switch 810 iscontrolled with a control signal to alternate between coupling an RFtransmit signal produced by the transmitter 820 to the antenna 840, orcoupling an RF receive signal received by the antenna 840 to thereceiver 830.

The transmitter 820 may include, for example, a transmit (TX) signalprocessor 822 and a power amplifier 824. The transmit signal processor822 is configured to produce transmit signals, and to provide thetransmit signals to the power amplifier 824. The power amplifier 824amplifies the transmit signals, and provides the amplified transmitsignals to the RF switch 810. The receiver 830 may include, for example,a receive amplifier 832 (e.g., a low noise amplifier) and a receive (RX)signal processor 834. The receive amplifier 832 is configured to amplifyrelatively low power received signals from the RF switch 810, and toprovide the amplified received signals to the receive signal processor834. The receive signal processor 834 is configured to consume orprocess the receive signals.

During each transmit time interval, the RF switch 810 is controlled tobe in a first or “transmit” state, as depicted in FIG. 8, in which atransmit signal path is closed between transmitter node 828 and antennanode 848, and in which a receive signal path is open between antennanode 848 and receiver node 838. Conversely, during each receive timeinterval, the RF switch 810 is controlled to be in a second or “receive”state, in which the receive signal path is closed between antenna node848 and receiver node 838, and in which the transmit signal path is openbetween transmitter node 828 and antenna node 848.

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the RF switch 810includes at least one FET stack (e.g., FET stacks 112, 200, 300, 320,330, FIGS. 1, 2, 3) that includes at least one compensation circuit(e.g., compensation circuits 110, 210, 310, 311, 321, 332, 400, 410,420, 612, 614, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6). The at least one compensationcircuit is implemented with an impedance configured to at leastpartially compensate for the effects of the body-source parasiticleakage currents and equalize the drain-source voltages across the FETsin the FET stack when those FETs are turned off to provide an opencircuit.

The RF transceiver system 800 may be physically implemented using avariety of active and passive electrical devices, which may be housed onone or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) and/or other substrates. Tofacilitate assembly of such a system, various components of the RFtransceiver system 800 may be implemented in self-contained modules orelectrical devices, which may be coupled to a PCB that electricallyconnects the module/devices to other portions of the RF transceiversystem 800. As used herein, the term “module” means a set of activeand/or passive electrical devices (e.g., ICs and components) that arephysically contained within a single housing (e.g., the device(s) areincluded on a common substrate (referred to herein as a “modulesubstrate”) or within a single package. A “module” also includes aplurality of conductive terminals for electrically connecting the set ofdevices to external circuitry that forms other portions of an electricalsystem. Essentially, the module substrate configuration, the method ofcoupling the device(s) to the module's terminals, and the number ofdevices within the module defines the module type. For example, invarious embodiments, a module may be in the form of a surface mountdevice, a chip carrier device, a ball, pin, or land grid array device, aflat package (e.g., a quad or dual flat package) device, a chip scalepackaged device, a system-in-package (SiP) device, or in the form ofsome other type of integrated circuit package. Although a particulartype of module is described below, it is to be understood thatembodiments of the inventive subject matter may be included in othertypes of modules, as well.

For example, turning to FIG. 9, a top view of a module 900 that embodiesa portion of the RF transceiver system 800 of FIG. 8, in accordance withan embodiment is illustrated. Module 900 includes a module substrate902, which may be a relatively small PCB, a conductive flange, oranother rigid structure. Module 900 also includes a plurality of ICscoupled to the module substrate 902, including an RF switch integratedcircuit (IC) 910 (e.g., an IC that embodies RF switch 100, 600, 810), areceive amplifier IC 932 (e.g., receive amplifier 832, FIG. 8), areceive matching circuit IC 934, and an RF switch controller IC 950. Inaddition, module 900 includes a transmit signal input terminal 928(e.g., corresponding to transmitter node 828, FIG. 8), a receive signaloutput terminal 938 (e.g., corresponding to receiver node 838, FIG. 8),an antenna terminal 948 (e.g., corresponding to antenna terminal 848,FIG. 8), a transmit/receive (TX/RX) control signal terminal 952, one ormore ground terminals 960, 961, and one or more power terminals 962. Thevarious ICs 910, 932, 934, 950 and terminals 928, 938, 948, 952, 960-962are electrically connected together through a plurality of wirebonds(e.g., wirebond 970). In other embodiments, various ones of the ICs 910,932, 934, 950 and terminals 928, 938, 948, 952, 960-962 may beelectrically connected together using other conductive structures (e.g.,conductive traces on and within module substrate 902 and/or conductivevias through module substrate 902). In various embodiments, the module900 may be housed in an air-cavity package or an overmolded (e.g.,encapsulated) package, although the module 900 may be considered to becomplete without such packaging, as well.

After incorporation of module 900 into a transceiver system (e.g.,system 800, FIG. 8), and during operation of the transceiver system,power and ground reference voltages may be provided to module 900through power and ground terminals 960-962. RF switch controller IC 950may convert an input power voltage (e.g., +5.0 volts) received throughpower terminal 962. In addition, RF switch controller IC 950 may receiveswitch control signals (e.g., TTL level signals) through TX/RX controlsignal terminal 952. Based on the received switch control signals, theRF switch controller IC 950 provides switch control signals (e.g., thecontrol and inverse control signals discussed above) to controlterminals (e.g., gates) of various transistors of the RF switch IC 910.As was described above, the switch control signals determine whethereach of the various transistors is in a conducting or non-conductingstate at any given time. More specifically, the switch control signalsdetermine whether the RF switch IC 910 is in a transmit state (i.e., astate in which the switch is configured to convey an RF signal from thetransmitter to the antenna) or a receive state (i.e., a state in whichthe switch is configured to convey an RF signal from the antenna to thereceiver) at any given time.

When the switch control signals configure the RF switch IC 910 in thetransmit state, transmit signals received by the RF switch IC 910 from apower amplifier (e.g., power amplifier 824, FIG. 8) through the transmitsignal input terminal 928 are passed through the RF switch IC 910 to theantenna terminal 948. Conversely, when the switch control signals placethe RF switch IC 910 in the receive state, signals received from theantenna terminal 948 are passed through the RF switch IC 910 to thereceive matching circuit IC 934. The receive matching circuit IC 934 mayinclude one or more integrated passive devices (e.g., capacitors,inductors, and/or resistors). The integrated passive devices, along withinductances of the wirebonds 970 between the receive matching circuit IC934, the RF switch IC 910, and the receive amplifier IC 932, compose animpedance matching circuit between the RF switch IC 910 and the receiveamplifier IC 932. In an alternate embodiment, the receive matchingcircuit IC 934 may be replaced by discrete components. Either way, theimpedance matching circuit also may perform filtering of receive signalsthat pass from the RF switch IC 910 to the receive amplifier IC 932through the impedance matching circuit. The receive amplifier IC 932receives the receive signals from the receive matching circuit IC 934and amplifies the receive signals. The receive amplifier IC 932 thenprovides the amplified receive signals to receive signal output terminal938.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of fabricating an IC (e.g., RF switchIC 910, FIG. 9) with one or more FETs (e.g., FETs 362, 364, 366, 368,FIG. 6) and one or compensation circuits (e.g., compensation circuits110, 210, 310, 311, 321, 332, 400, 410, 420, 612, 614, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4,6), in accordance with various embodiments. In a typical IC fabricationprocess, multiple ICs are fabricated in parallel on a semiconductorwafer, and one of the final fabrication steps includes singulating theindividual ICs from the wafer. For simplicity of description,fabrication of a single IC is described below. Those of skill in the artwould understand, based on the description herein, that a plurality ofICs may be fabricated simultaneously, as indicated above. Although notspecifically pointed out below, when wafer fabrication processes areemployed, an IC singulation process may be performed, for example, afterblock 1004. Similarly, a typical module fabrication process (or ICpackaging process) may include simultaneously forming a plurality ofmodules on a leadframe or PCB, and subsequently singulating each modulefrom the leadframe or PCB. Although also not specifically pointed outbelow, a module singulation process may be performed, for example, afterblock 1008.

To facilitate understanding, the below-described method will makereference to fabricating RF switch 600 (FIG. 6). However, those of skillin the art would understand, based on the description herein, that thefabrication embodiments alternatively may be used to fabricatedifferently configured RF switch ICs or other types of devicesaltogether. Accordingly, reference to the above-described RF switch ICembodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the inventivesubject matter only to those embodiments.

The method may begin, in block 1002, by forming one or more FETs (e.g.,FETs 662, 664, 666, 668, FIG. 6) in and above a semiconductor substrate.In some embodiments, multiple FETs may be formed and electricallyinterconnected as FET stacks. Generally, each FET includes a gateterminal and a body terminal.

As discussed above, the semiconductor substrate may include any of avariety of different semiconductor substrate materials (e.g., GaAs, GaN,GaN on Si, GaN on SiC, Si, SOI, bulk Si, and so on), and the multi-gateFET(s) may have any of a variety of different structures (e.g., pHEMT,MOSFET, HEMT, MESFET, LDMOS FET, EMOSFET, JFET, and so on). According toan embodiment, prior to forming the FETs, conductive through substratevias (TSVs) may be formed partially or entirely through the substrate toprovide for electrical conductivity between the top and bottom surfacesof the substrate (e.g., between a current conducting terminal of one ormore of the FETs and a ground reference node at the bottom of thesubstrate).

In block 1004, the method may continue by forming one or morecompensation circuits (e.g., compensation circuits 110, 210, 310, 311,321, 332, 400, 410, 420, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) over the semiconductorsubstrate. As discussed previously, in various embodiments, thecompensation circuits include one or more impedance elements, andvarious electrical connections between the gates and bodies of the FETs.The impedance elements be integrally-formed passive components (e.g.,integrally formed capacitors, resistors, and/or inductors), and/ordiscrete components (e.g., discrete capacitors, resistors, and/orinductors), in various embodiments.

In block 1006, the method may continue by electrically coupling thegates and bodies of FETs to the compensation circuits and to various I/Onodes (e.g., nodes 102, 104, 528, 538, 548, 552, 553, 628, 638, 648,652, 653, FIGS. 1, 5, 6). For example, the electrical connectionsbetween the FETs and the bias coupling circuits may include integratedelectrical connections. Ultimately, during operation, electrical signalsmay be received through the nodes from external circuitry, and soelectrical signals processed through the FET(s) may be provided throughthe nodes to external circuitry. For example, as discussed previously,the nodes may include a first I/O node, a second I/O node, groundreference nodes, and an antenna node.

In block 1008, the IC (e.g., RF switch IC 910) is physically coupled toa module substrate (e.g., to module substrate 902, FIG. 9). In addition,one or more additional ICs and/or components also may be physicallycoupled to the module substrate.

In block 1010, the IC(s) and components are electrically coupled to eachother, and to terminals that are configured to convey signals, power,and ground references between external circuitry and theIC(s)/components of the module. The module substrate configuration, themethod of coupling the IC(s) and components to the module's terminals,and the number of ICs within the module defines the module or packagetype. The module may then be completed (e.g., by encapsulating themodule or containing the module in an air cavity package). Once themodule is completed, it may be physically and electrically coupled toexternal circuitry (e.g., other portions of system 800, FIG. 8).

In one embodiment a radio frequency (RF) switch is provided, comprising:a first FET stack coupled between a first node and a second node, thefirst FET stack including a first series-coupled plurality of fieldeffect transistors (FETs), wherein the first series-coupled plurality ofFETs includes: a first FET, the first FET including a first gate and afirst body; and second FET, the second FET including a second gate and asecond body; and a first compensation circuit electrically coupling thefirst body and the second gate.

In another embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) switch is provided,comprising: an antenna node; a transmit node; a receive node; a firstreference node; a second reference node; a first field effect transistor(FET) stack coupled between the antenna node and the receive node, thefirst FET stack including a first series-coupled plurality of FETs, eachof the first series-coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body,the first FET stack including; a first plurality of compensationcircuits, each of the first plurality of compensation circuits couplinga gate on one FET in the first series-coupled plurality of FETs to abody on another one of the first series-coupled plurality of FETs; asecond FET stack coupled between the transmit node and the firstreference node, the second FET stack including a second series-coupledplurality of FETs, each of the second series coupled plurality of FETshaving a gate and a body; a second plurality of compensation circuits,each of the second plurality of compensation circuits coupling a gate onone FET in the second series-coupled plurality of FETs to a body onanother one of the second series-coupled plurality of FETs; a third FETstack coupled between the transmit node and the antenna node, the thirdFET stack including a third series-coupled plurality of FETs, each ofthe third series-coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body; anda fourth FET stack coupled between the receive node and the secondreference node, the fourth FET stack including a fourth series-coupledplurality of FETs, each of the fourth series coupled plurality of FETshaving a gate and a body.

In another embodiment, a method of fabricating a radio frequency (RF)switch is provided, the method comprising: forming a first field effecttransistor (FET) stack over an active surface of a semiconductorsubstrate, the first FET stack including a first series-coupledplurality of field effect transistors (FETs), wherein the firstseries-coupled plurality of FETs includes: a first FET, the first FETincluding a first gate and a first body; and a second FET, the secondFET including a second gate and a second body; forming a firstcompensation circuit; and electrically coupling the first compensationcircuit to the first body and the second gate.

The foregoing detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or theapplication and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the words“exemplary” and “example” mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as exemplary or anexample is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageousover other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the foregoingtechnical field, background, or detailed description.

For the sake of brevity, conventional semiconductor fabricationtechniques may not be described in detail herein. In addition, certainterminology may also be used herein for the purpose of reference only,and thus are not intended to be limiting, and the terms “first”,“second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do notimply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

The foregoing description refers to elements or features being“connected” or “coupled” together. As used herein, unless expresslystated otherwise, “connected” means that one element is directly joinedto (or directly communicates with) another element, and not necessarilymechanically. Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, “coupled”means that one element is directly or indirectly joined to (or directlyor indirectly communicates with) another element, and not necessarilymechanically. Thus, although the schematic shown in the figures depictone exemplary arrangement of elements, additional intervening elements,devices, features, or components may be present in an embodiment of thedepicted subject matter.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subjectmatter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by theclaims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents atthe time of filing this patent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radio frequency (RF) switch comprising: a firstFET stack coupled between a first node and a second node, the first FETstack including a first series-coupled plurality of field effecttransistors (FETs), wherein the first series-coupled plurality of FETsincludes: a first FET, the first FET including a first gate and a firstbody; and a second FET, the second FET including a second gate and asecond body; and a first compensation circuit electrically coupling thefirst body and the second gate, wherein the first compensation circuitis directly connected between the first body and the second gate, andthe first compensation circuit is not directly connected to the firstgate.
 2. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the first compensationcircuit is characterized by a first impedance configured to compensatefor variations in leakage current across the first series-coupledplurality of FETs.
 3. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the firstcompensation circuit includes a first capacitor.
 4. The RF switch ofclaim 1, wherein the first compensation circuit includes a firstvaractor.
 5. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the first compensationcircuit includes a resistor-capacitor (RC) series circuit.
 6. The RFswitch of claim 1, wherein the first compensation circuit includes anactive impedance-providing component.
 7. The RF switch of claim 1,wherein the first series-coupled plurality of FETs further includes: athird FET, the third FET including a third gate and a third body; and asecond compensation circuit electrically coupling the second body andthe third gate.
 8. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the firstseries-coupled plurality of FETs further includes: a third FET, thethird FET including a third gate and a third body; a fourth FET, thefourth FET including a fourth gate and a fourth body; and a secondcompensation circuit electrically coupling the third body and the fourthgate.
 9. The RF switch of claim 1, further comprising a second FET stackcoupled between a third node and a fourth node, the second FET stackincluding a second series-coupled plurality of FETs, wherein the secondseries-coupled plurality of FETs includes: a third FET, the third FETincluding a third gate and a third body; a fourth FET, the fourth FETincluding a fourth gate and a fourth body; and a second compensationcircuit electrically coupling the third body and the fourth gate. 10.The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the first series-coupled plurality ofFETs comprise FETs fabricated on a substrate selected from asilicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, a gallium arsenide basedsubstrate, a bulk silicon substrate, a gallium nitride (GaN) basedsubstrate, a GaN on silicon substrate, and a GaN on silicon carbidesubstrate.
 11. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the first compensationcircuit comprises one or more impedance-providing components selectedfrom a capacitor, a varactor, a resistor-capacitor (RC) series circuit,and an active impedance-providing component.
 12. The RF switch of claim6, wherein the active impedance-providing component is a metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistor.
 13. The RF switch of claim 6,wherein the active impedance-providing component is a metal oxidesemiconductor capacitor.
 14. The RF switch of claim 1, wherein the firstseries-coupled plurality of FETs comprise FETs fabricated on a substrateselected from a gallium arsenide based substrate, a gallium nitride(GaN) based substrate, a GaN on silicon substrate, and a GaN on siliconcarbide substrate.
 15. A radio frequency (RF) switch comprising: anantenna node; a transmit node; a receive node; a first reference node; asecond reference node; a first field effect transistor (FET) stackcoupled between the antenna node and the receive node, the first FETstack including a first series-coupled plurality of FETs, each of thefirst series-coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body, thefirst FET stack including; a first plurality of compensation circuits,each of the first plurality of compensation circuits coupling a gate onone FET in the first series-coupled plurality of FETs to a body onanother one of the first series-coupled plurality of FETs; a second FETstack coupled between the transmit node and the first reference node,the second FET stack including a second series-coupled plurality ofFETs, each of the second series coupled plurality of FETs having a gateand a body; a second plurality of compensation circuits, each of thesecond plurality of compensation circuits coupling a gate on one FET inthe second series-coupled plurality of FETs to a body on another one ofthe second series-coupled plurality of FETs; a third FET stack coupledbetween the transmit node and the antenna node, the third FET stackincluding a third series-coupled plurality of FETs, each of the thirdseries-coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body; and a fourthFET stack coupled between the receive node and the second referencenode, the fourth FET stack including a fourth series-coupled pluralityof FETs, each of the fourth series coupled plurality of FETs having agate and a body.
 16. The RF switch of claim 15, wherein the firstcompensation circuit comprises one or more impedance-providingcomponents selected from a capacitor, a varactor, a resistor-capacitor(RC) series circuit, and an active impedance-providing component.
 17. Aradio frequency (RF) switch comprising: an antenna node; a radiofrequency (RF) node, wherein the RF node is selected from a transmitnode and a receive node; and a first field effect transistor (FET) stackcoupled between the antenna node and the first RF node, the first FETstack including a first series-coupled plurality of FETs, each of thefirst series-coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body, thefirst FET stack including a first compensation circuit that is directlyconnected between a gate on one FET in the first series-coupledplurality of FETs and a body on another one of the first series-coupledplurality of FETs.
 18. The RF switch of claim 17, wherein the firstcompensation circuit comprises one or more impedance-providingcomponents selected from a capacitor, a varactor, a resistor-capacitor(RC) series circuit, and an active impedance-providing component. 19.The RF switch of claim 17, wherein the active impedance-providingcomponent is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. 20.The RF switch of claim 17, wherein the active impedance-providingcomponent is a metal oxide semiconductor capacitor.
 21. The RF switch ofclaim 17, wherein the RF node is the receive node, and the RF switchfurther comprises: a transmit node; a reference node; a second FET stackcoupled between the transmit node and the reference node, the second FETstack including a second series-coupled plurality of FETs, each of thesecond series coupled plurality of FETs having a gate and a body; and asecond compensation circuit that is directly connected between a gate onone FET in the second series-coupled plurality of FETs and a body onanother one of the second series-coupled plurality of FETs.